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Monthly Assessment: August 2013

What’s on the iPod: Life by The Avett Brothers

Well, I’m back. Fishing was amazing, the weather was just right — sunny, warm days followed by those lazy rain showers that just beg for naps to be taken. It was a pleasant few days away, and Ontario, per usual, was good to me.

I jumped right back in to work on Wednesday. I had interviews for an article scheduled, so that wasn’t too taxing for my first day back. Yesterday was nice and slow, too. I had time to take a long lunch and relax a little in the afternoon. That won’t last long, I’m sure, so I’m taking advantage now.

While I was gone, the calendar pages flipped. That means I need to be accountable to you. No time like the present. Without further delay, here’s how August was for me:

Queries:
I sent out two. One hit pay dirt. Since I was busy on other projects, I didn’t send out more, and I’m glad. I’d never have had the few days off I did.

LOIs:
I sent twelve. Of those, one person got in touch for more info and clips. That was two weeks ago. I intend to follow up next week.

Existing clients:
It’s amazing how a little note can change your income. A client I’d worked with quite a lot last year hadn’t been in touch, and I knew there had been a change in the marketing department. So I sent a note, got an introduction to the new person, and got immediate work. She and I hit it off great, so I know there will be more. This client and another existing client made up all my earnings this month.

New clients:
None yet, but I’m hoping a few of these follow-ups will be fruitful.

Earnings:
I’m off the mark by just under half. I expected it since it was August (notoriously slow month), but it’s now time to get busy and stay that way.

Bottom line:
I have to step up the marketing and get at least one more regular client. A few have faded into the woodwork. Either I have to get projects with them or get new sources of income. The LOI is working, but not well enough. Time to rethink it. Also, magazine ideas are all around me, but I’ve been too busy to do anything with them. Time to put aside 15 minutes a day until I get them all circulating.

How was your August? What were the surprises?

3 responses to “Monthly Assessment: August 2013”

  1. Paula Avatar
    Paula

    The biggest surprise? I took in (in actual checks) almost double my monthly goal. Some of that was a fluke of the US postal system and a 31-day month: My July check from one client arrived August 1 and their August check arrived August 31.

    LOIs: Sent three LOIs, one was to a reputable publication looking for bloggers. That editor replied swiftly, letting me know the pay scale would probably be beneath someone of my experience. I appreciated that. I followed up on three more LOIs, one hit pay dirt.

    Queries: Sent a query to one of my new favorite editors, she loved the idea and is running it by her bosses. (It's a story I know Lori would like!) Sent two batches of ideas to Favorite Editor last week, but it will be a while before the assign for the December issue.

    Existing Clients: Turned in 5 articles, three columns and one smaller project. Started two new articles.

    New Clients: Landed one new client and a large assignment from one of those LOIs. The editor said they'll have another similar project in a couple weeks if I'm up for it.

    Earnings: A bit skewed due to the 31-day month, but I actually was able to pay all my August and September bills, the second half of my property taxes, hire a tree service to remove a giant fallen limb from my garage and a double-trunk weed tree, put a couple hundred in savings…and still have a little money leftover. That felt great!

    BL: Follow-ups pay off. The one assignment from the new client will equal about half my monthly goal.

    Reply
  2. Cathy Miller Avatar
    Cathy Miller

    Marketing: I received a few emails from someone I have been courting for some time. She said my last email was well-timed as she wanted to know how my fall was shaping up as they had some projects. Haven't heard back on the "what are your fees" request, but fingers crossed.

    Also, sent out a request for referral to an existing client and received one return for a call next week.

    Various other email marketings out. Hope springs eternal.

    Earnings Once again, if I received an overdue check, I would have exceeded goal. Without it, I came in just slightly under target.

    Existing Clients One had queried about more projects for the fall, but now have pushed those back to January. 🙁

    Still have ongoing blog posts with them.

    Another client lined up a few ghostwritten articles that were completed in August with another one scheduled for next month.

    Finished up a white paper and case study for another and other ongoing ghostblogging.

    Working on new client (see above). Hope to meet up with her when I am in San Francisco next week (if she's in town). Waiting to hear back.

    Reply
  3. Luana Spinetti Avatar
    Luana Spinetti

    Thanks for this post, Lori! It inspires me to get back to work 😉

    Queries:

    None. I just sent out a few job applications from Craigslist and Problogger, but mostly for fun. Job ads stay as a hobby to me, but I'm trying to get back in the mood of sending queries of any kind, so it's a "warm-up" I guess. I'll try to send a few blogging and magazine queries in October.

    LOIs:

    I should send one or two in the web design/web copywriting area. I always offer writing (or rewriting) services for the websites I design.

    Existing clients:

    I have two amazing clients who want me to stay even when I haven't worked for them in almost a year (due to depression and its consequences). They told me I can resume work anytime and they kept me as a contributor. They're fabulous! :')

    New clients:

    None yet.

    Earnings:

    Sponsored posts and advertising assure I still earn that little $200/month to renew my domains and afford some treat. Good thing I still live with my parents.. ^^'

    Bottom line:

    I want to see the end of the tunnel. Depression nearly killed me this time; not physically, but emotionally and mentally. I refuse to play the victory trumpet as of yet, but I know I'm on the way to full recovery. 🙂 I can work a little, which is positive.

    *hugs*
    ~ Luana

    Reply

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